A SEX shop in Whitby Road was raided by environmental health officers last week after it was found to be trading without a licence.

Head of Environmental Health, Mike Whittaker, says his officers executed a search warrant and found evidence to suggest All Things Sexy required a licence under Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as a sex establishment.

He said: 'The proprietor was invited to make an application and has since telephoned to request an application form. An annual fee of #5,000 is payable and thereafter an annual review fee of #4,000.

'We are awaiting his application which will be considered by the council's licensing sub- committee when objections, if any, will be considered.' He added: 'The applicant will need to satisfy publication requirements by placing a notice in a conspicuous place on the premises for 21 days and an advertisement in the Press circulating in the borough within seven days of the application.

'The council will then, after 28 days, convene a meeting of the sub-committee to consider the application.' The shop manager has refused to comment.